powell



J. R. POWELL.

SEAL FOR MINERS' SQUIBS.

Pateted Nov. 13, 1883.

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WITJVESSES JOHN .R. POXVELL, OF PLYMOUTH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SEAL FOR MINERS SQUIBS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,484, dated November13, 1883.

Application filed September 8, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. POWELL, of Plymouth, in the county ofLuzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Seals for Miners* Straws or Paper Squibs; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification. I

This invention relates to blasting-squibs for the use of mincrs; and ithas for its object to produce a device by means of which downblasts maybe conveniently fired without previously cutting off the seal from theend of the squib.

To this end it consists in certain improvenents in the Construction ofthe same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularlypointed out in the claim.

hiners squibs of the most novel and recent construction have usuallyeonsisted of a tube of straw, paper, or the like, one end of which hasbeen provided with a fuse, and the other end of which has been providedwith a seal, to retain in the said tube the chargc of ignitingpowder. Inpractice it has been necessary, before exploding the charge, to cut offthe end of the squib having the seal, thereby establishing communicationbetween the igniting material and the charge. W'hile in upward blaststhis has been easily effected, considerable difiiculty has beenexperienced in exploding downward blasts with squibs of thisconstruction, owing to the liability of the igniting-powder to escapethrough the seal opening and enter the blast-hole. It has therefore beennecessary to employ experienced hands in exploding downward blasts.

By my invention I propose to obviate the necessity of especially skilledlabor, and to provide a squib which may be easily and successfullymanipulated by unskilled hands, as will be hereinafter fully describedwith reference to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side View of amining-squib embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional viewof the same, and Figs. 3 and eL are sectional views, illustratingmodifications of my invention.

The sane letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

A in the drawings designates the cylindrical case or tube whichconstitutes the body of the squib, and at the end of which is Secured'the fuse B. The latter may be constructed and attached in any suitablewclLknown manner, preferably as shown and described in patents whichhave heretofore been granted to me.

The cylindrical case A contains the charge, C, of ignitinginateriahwhich is Secured in the said ease or shell by means of a seal,D. My preference, with regard to the Construction of the said seal, isthe employnent of such adhesive material as will serve to plug the endof the case or shell by simple dipping or immersion. Bituminous orhydrocarbonic material of any suitable description will excellentlyanswer the required purpose. The seal, having been once formed, is to beperforated in one or more places by means of a wire or any suitablepointed instrument, which will form one or more distinct holes orperforations that shall adnit of communication between the inside of theshell and the blasting-hole without enabling the igniting-charge toescape.

By the modification shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings I substitute for theseal hereinbefore described a piece of wire-netting, E, which may beretaincd in the shell A by means of friction only, or by means ofadhesive material, or any other expedients which it may be deemednecessary to employ. It will be seen that the netting E, while itconfines the igniting-charge in the squib-case, does not preventcommunication between the igniting and the blasting charge.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings another modification of my invention has beenshown. By this modification I do not aim at establishing a directcommunication between the respective charges; but I propose in this caseto form the seal, which is here designated by the letter G, ofeasily-combustible material, with regard to the composition of which Ido not wish to limit myself. The seal, being, as thus stated, of acombustible nature, will readily admit of communication between therespective charges, as has been heretofore stated tobe the object of myinvention.

The operation of this invention and its ad- ICO -2 e 285. 1&

Vantages will be easily understood .by those skilled in the art to whichit appertains. In firing blasts it is only necessary to adjust and .packthe squib in the blast-hole. No matter 5 What the direction of the blastmay be, communication Willnecessarily be established between theigniting and exploding charges, and a successful blast is always sure tofollow.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure IO by Letters Patent of theUnited States- An improved mining-squib, consisting main ly of a tubularshell or ease having a fuse at its upper end, in combination With anetted seal suitably retained in the lower end of the said shell orcase, substantially as set forth. 15

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. POXVELL. XVitnesses:

JOHN THEWIs, GEORGE S.

